Wrexham are in the market for signings this summer and Phil Parkinson currently looks likely to focus on signing free agents.
Parkinson is now preparing for life in League One having guided Wrexham to back-to-back promotions from the National League.
It’s unclear just how much Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds intend to spend this summer but Wrexham certainly need reinforcements.
Successive promotions mean Wrexham need additional quality in order to compete at League One level and Parkinson has some targets in mind.
Released Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta is one target whilst three players let go by Wigan Athletic are also on the radar.
Left back Tom Pearce and forward Stephen Humphrys have interest from Wrexham, alongside veteran teammate Josh Magennis.
Parkinson knows Magennis well having coached him at Bolton Wanderers and a reunion could be on the cards – despite a somewhat mixed past.
Michael O’Neill on Wrexham target Josh Magennis
Magennis fits the Wrexham mould in terms of looking for experience at League One level, but he also has international football under his belt too.
Magennis has racked up 76 caps for Northern Ireland, recording 11 goals in the process.
The 33-year-old has been in the Northern Ireland setup for 14 years now and he seemingly has no plans to quit any time soon.
Northern Ireland won’t be at Euro 2024 but boss Michael O’Neill has called up Magennis ahead of friendlies against Spain and Andorra.
Magennis is currently without a club having been let go by Wigan and O’Neill has praised him for accepting a call up rather than focusing on finding a new club.
O’Neill would have understood both Magennis and Corry Evans pulling out of the squad with the pair facing an ‘uncertain time’.
O’Neill, whilst speaking to News Letter in Northern Ireland, added that he would be willing to put in a good word for Magennis if anybody calls him about a deal this summer.
“The players have that choice. I had a conversation with Josh who is obviously in the same situation as Corry,” said O’Neill. “I said, ‘Look, if it’s an issue for you, I fully understand that’, but both players were very keen to come and be involved and play. It’s never easy, that situation. For those lads in particular, Josh has maybe been in it, but I don’t think Corry has been in this position before in his career.”
“It’s an uncertain time but they’re both at an age and point in their career where they’ve their experience to deal with it and what this gives them is a bit of an opportunity. People can see that they’re still involved at international level and hopefully if people pick up the phone to me over the summer and ask me how they are, I’m able to say they’re in good shape, they’ve a lot to offer and they get themselves something which is right for them and gives them the opportunity to continue to play with us,” he added.
Magennis surely a target if Steven Fletcher leaves
Wrexham will head into next season with Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott, Sam Dalby and Jake Bickerstaff as Parkinson’s attacking options.
It’s unclear whether Dalby and Bickerstaff will have roles in the Wrexham squad next season, so there could be scope for other striking moves.
Targeting Magennis makes sense in that regard, especially given that he already knows all about life under Parkinson.
Yet we would argue that Magennis only really adds up as a Wrexham signing if Steven Fletcher isn’t staying at the club.
Fletcher has been offered a new deal to stay at Wrexham but it’s unclear whether or not he will be signing on or leaving.
Fletcher offers an experienced, physical presence in attack and Magennis fits a similar bill.
Adding Magennis alongside fellow target men Palmer and Fletcher would seem a little like overkill but fans will surely back Parkinson to make the right call on the striker given their history together.